When I was younger, I remember my dad used to always turn off our home internet and unplug everything from the outlets when we were going on vacation. No matter how long or short we were going out of town, he was unplugging power cords left and right, and turning off the wifi. One place I don’t think he turned off? The ice maker.

It might seem strange, but it turns out it’s actually a good idea to turn off this appliance before you set out for a much-needed retreat. Why? Oh, how does energy savings sound?

There are other benefits to turning off your ice maker for any vacation you take, and we’re going to cover them in this guide. We’re also going to teach you the exact steps to follow for safely turning off this appliance, and the best maintenance tips for short and long vacations.

Reasons To Turn Off Your Ice Maker

Does turning off your ice maker for vacation sound like a pointless task? Consider these benefits and you might change your mind.

Energy Conservation

We’ve already mentioned that turning off your ice maker helps to save on energy, but let’s get more specific. Like the rest of your fridge, the included ice maker (and even your countertop one) requires energy to work. Energy is being used for every step of the ice-making process from cooling to freezing and even storing the ice. Turning it off for your vacations can save you up to 20% on your energy bill, so take our advice and shut it down!

Preventing Malfunctions

Another reason to turn your ice maker off? It could help prevent malfunctions. Ice makers that don’t get a break are prone to several issues, like clogged drain lines, formation of ice clumps, and a defective machine. Turning it off while you’re away keeps these issues from occurring since it gives your appliance a break.

Avoiding Water Leaks

Malfunctions from left-on ice makers can lead to water leaks, which causes a whole other world of problems. Clogged drain lines or makers can cause the chute to overfill and lead to leaks that damage your walls, floors, furniture, and other items. The last thing you want is to come home on your vacation high to a flood, mold-growing home from an ice maker disaster that could have been prevented.

Steps To Properly Turn Off Your Ice Maker

So, how do you save your home? The first step is to turn off your ice maker. Follow these steps to safely shut off your appliance and enjoy a worry-free vacation.

Locate the Ice Maker Switch

The first thing you need to do is find the ice maker switch, the part that’s responsible for keeping your ice maker on and making ice. This is usually easy to find and is located on or near a control panel inside your fridge. Another place to check is around your ice maker, specifically behind the bucket. The switch will look like a button. Once you find it, turn the switch off.

Empty the Ice Tray

The next step is to empty the ice tray. Remove your bucket and dump out the ice before wiping down any excess water. This will greatly benefit your home by taking away the chance of your ice leaking or forming into a solid clump during the defrost cycle. When the tray is empty, you can slide it back in place.

Turn Off the Water Supply

Lastly, you’ll want to shut off the water supply that’s attached to your fridge. This is an important step since it prevents water leaks or other potential wet issues. To do this, you’ll need to find the water shut-off valve (usually behind the fridge), and then turn the valve clockwise until you feel it stop.

Additional Refrigerator Preparation Tips

Here are a few extra tips for prepping your fridge while you’re away.

Managing Perishable Foods

Before setting out on your trip, it’s a good idea to take inventory of the foods in your fridge and throw out anything that’s going to spoil while you’re gone. If you have items that won’t perish and you want to save, consider placing them in the freezer to keep it bacteria-free until you’re ready to eat it when you get back home.

Maintaining Refrigerator Temperature

The temperature you set your fridge to while you’re away is key for food safety. The ideal temperature to keep your fridge at while you’re gone is between 35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit with the sweet spot being 38 degrees.

Using Baking Soda for Odor Control

Like vinegar, baking soda is a powerful household cleaning product to use for your fridge while you’re away. Setting an open box of baking soda in the back of a fridge shelf can help keep odors at bay so you don’t return home to a funky-smelling fridge.

Considerations For Short Vs. Long Vacations

Check out these specific fridge tips for vacations of all lengths.

Short Vacation Tips

For vacations less than a week:

• Leave the fridge on and keep at set temperature (warmer if you’ve ate all your food).
• Turn off the ice maker and water supply.
• Discard or eat food that will spoil.
• Clean your fridge.

Long Vacation Tips

For extended vacation lasting over a week:

• Consider unplugging the fridge.
• Turn off the ice maker and water supply.
• Discard or eat food that will spoil.
• Clean your fridge.
• Leave the doors slightly open (if the fridge is turned off) to prevent mold and mildew growth.